LEGACY – AFI Catalog Spotlight

This month, the AFI Catalog celebrates the 50-year anniversary of director/producer Karen Arthur’s independent film debut LEGACY, which toured festivals in 1975. It was produced for just $46,000 with finishing funds provided in part by the American Film Institute. Around the time that Arthur made LEGACY, she was enrolled in an internship program through AFI...
Image of Omar Sharif with the caption AFI Catalog Spotlight

Omar Sharif – AFI Catalog Spotlight

This month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on the illustrious Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, who would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on April 10. Known as one of the first and most prominent Arab actors to achieve stardom in Hollywood,[i] Sharif performed in over 100 American and international films including LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962),...
THE OTHER HALF OF THE SKY (1975) documentary film still

THE OTHER HALF OF THE SKY: A CHINA MEMOIR – AFI Catalog Spotlight

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on the Oscar®-nominated documentary THE OTHER HALF OF THE SKY: A CHINA MEMOIR, which was released 50 years ago this March. Co-directed and co-produced by AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Shirley MacLaine and feminist filmmaker Claudia Weill ­– who was 28 at the...
For this month's AFI Catalog Spotlight on SHAMPOO, actress Julie Christie is pictured beside actor and co-writer Warren Beatty.

SHAMPOO – AFI Catalog Spotlight

This month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on the Hal Ashby hit comedy SHAMPOO (1975) in honor of its 50th release anniversary. Co-written by AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Warren Beatty (in his first onscreen writing credit) and the legendary Robert Towne, SHAMPOO featured a cast of stars including Beatty, Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn,...
Image of Directing Pioneer Dorothy Arzner.

Dorothy Arzner – AFI Catalog Spotlight

In celebration of film pioneer Dorothy Arzner’s birthday this month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on her life and her indelible contributions to film history. In a Hollywood career spanning nearly a quarter of a century (1919-1943) – from typist to “script girl,” to editor to director, to being the first woman member of...

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS – AFI Catalog Spotlight

Celebrating the holiday season this year, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on the Christmas classic MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944), which first played in theaters 80 years ago this month after its world premiere in late November 1944. Aside from being the film that famously connected Judy Garland with her future husband, director...

THE DAUGHTER OF DAWN (1920) – AFI Catalog Spotlight

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on THE DAUGHTER OF DAWN (1920), one of the earliest fictional feature films in history to headline a cast comprised entirely of Native American performers who actively participated in the production. Other firsts with Native casts include HIAWATHA (1913) and Edward S....
PLANET OF THE APES film still

PLANET OF THE APES (1968) – AFI Movie Club

An iconic sci-fi masterpiece that appears on two of AFI’s lists of the greatest American films – cinema’s most heart-pounding thrills and the art form’s most iconic quotes – PLANET OF THE APES (1968) stars screen legend Charlton Heston as a misanthropic astronaut stranded alone on the strange and uncanny world. Heston was the third Chair...

Eddie Romero – AFI Catalog Spotlight

In honor of Filipino American History Month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on legendary filmmaker Eddie Romero (1924-2013), who directed over 50 American and Filipino films over six decades, and would have celebrated his centennial birthday this year. Known as a Filipino national treasure and a B-movie icon,[i] Romero was honored with numerous awards...

FRIDA (2002) – AFI CATALOG SPOTLIGHT

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on  FRIDA (2002), starring Salma Hayek and co-written by AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Discipline Head Anna Thomas, which premiered in Toronto 22 years ago this month. FRIDA was based on the true story of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), as told in...

FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH – AFI Catalog Spotlight

Celebrating back to school this August, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on AFI alum Amy Heckerling’s feature film directorial debut, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982), which was released 42 years ago this month and is included on AFI’s 100 Years...100 Laughs list of the funniest American films of all time. Based on the...

COMING HOME (1978) – AFI Catalog Spotlight

In celebration of disability pride month, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on COMING HOME (1978), the Oscar®-winning Hal Ashby film that takes place at a VA hospital during the Vietnam War. Included on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions list of the greatest love stories of all time, COMING HOME explores the lives of soldiers who...
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